Retention Lanyard

ABSTRACT

A retention lanyard and method for securing an article to a hand of a user, the article having a pair of opposing features, the retention lanyard including a planar flexible element having a first end and a second end with a longitudinal axis. Also first and second end portions that include respective first and second planar flexible loop apertures on the respective first and second ends. Operationally, each of the first and second apertures are placed about each one of the pair of article features, wherein the planar flexible element is positioned about the hand, the retention lanyard retains the article to the user&#39;s hand in an idle state with the user&#39;s hand not engaging the article and the retention lanyard retains the article to the user&#39;s hand in an active state with the user&#39;s hand engaging the article without any tether causing an additional hand to retention lanyard contact.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/430,355 filed on Dec. 6, 2016 by Shannon EugeneCampbell of Brighton, Colo., U.S.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a lanyard for retaining anarticle or a plurality of articles for use of the article. Morespecifically, the present invention is a retention lanyard partiallyreplacing a human grasp, wherein the retention lanyard removably engagesthe article in a substantially secure manner, in order to utilize thearticle in its normal use while substantially relieving the user of thefatigue typically associated with the manual grasping the article formore of a longer term use of the article.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are a variety of articles that are manually grasped by a humanuser which would include pliers, clippers, trimmers, pruning shears,scissors, and the like that require an active gripping and movement bythe hand of the user, plus there are other articles such as flashlights,water bottles, mobile phones, eye glass cases, and the like that arejust grasped by the user, however, without the using movement required,thus an article that requires grasping and using movement has an extralevel of hand fatigue, wherein articles that only require grasping haveless hand fatigue, in any case a device to assist in grasping of eitherform of article can act to help reduce hand fatigue in the humangrasping the article which is beneficial.

User hand fatigue especially while using say pruning shears for instancecan be significant when the user is trimming numerous bushes, soanything that helps reduce the hand fatigue is welcomed, plus anythingto also help prevent the accidental dropping of the pruning shear wouldbe very desirable as well. Although tethers and lanyards are well knownin the art, being the traditional longer length open type loop offlexible material that would typically loop around the user's wrist andthen have some slack line length extending to an article such as acamera, with the benefit being that you didn't lose, drop (damage), ormisplace your camera, however, requiring the user's hand to crawl alongthe slack line length portion to retrieve the camera to use it, in otherwords the camera is dangling from the user's hand in a pendulum typemanner that could also require the user's other hand to grasp thearticle to put the article in the user's other hand with the tether toovercome the tether slack length to facilitate article use.

Further with this traditional tether or lanyard arrangement the articleor camera would tend to swing like a pendulum via the slack line lengthportion when walking thus potentially damaging the camera and beingannoying for the user as the camera would be bouncing around and bumpingtheir leg or other things. There are numerous lanyards in the prior artwith specialty applications that typically loosely connect an article tousually a user's wrist—that way the lanyard has a wide universal articleapplicability, i.e. different size articles, ways of article attachment,and so on, however, this results in usually a more distant and looserconnection as between the user's wrist and the article, making the quickand easy use of the article somewhat time consuming due to the distantand loose connection. This would be opposed to more of a custom fitlanyard that would make the article and user's hand in close contactwith one another such that a tighter connection would exist as betweenthe user's hand and the article, resulting in the article's use by theuser's hand more immediate and certain.

Looking at the prior art in the lanyard/tether arts in U.S. Pat. No.5,052,602 to Duchi, Jr., et al. disclosed is a lanyard made of aweavable, braided material having a loop at one end fashioned by turningthe end of the lanyard braid back upon itself and the second end of thelanyard having a loop fashioned by turning the end of the lanyard backonto itself and inserting the end into the braid of the lanyard andfastening both with a common metal ferrule and further containing ametal ring held within each end loop. Duchi '602 is focused upon theloop ends of the tether and their attachment and securement tothemselves, as Duchi '602 is the typical universal lanyard with a looserand longer article to user hand connection as described above.

Further, in the lanyard and tether prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,363to Duchi, Jr., et al. disclosed is a lanyard that is a divisional patentapplication of Duchi '602 above, (both Duchi '602 & '363 stem from acommon patent application disclosure), Duchi '363 is made of a weavable,braided material having a loop at one end fashioned by turning the endof the lanyard braid back upon itself and a second end of the lanyardhaving a loop fashioned by turning the end of the lanyard back ontoitself and inserting the end into the braid of the lanyard and fasteningboth with a common metal ferrule and further containing a metal ringheld within each end loop. Thus Duchi '363 is for a particularapplication of a miniature flashlight as the article being coupled tothe lanyard.

Continuing, in the lanyard prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 9,016,532 toWizikowski, disclosed is a hand strap to a tablet computer to secure theback of the tablet computer to the user's hand and act as an aide toprevent the tablet computer from being dropped and damaged. Theinvention in Wizikowski allows the user to rotate the tablet computer tovarious viewing angles while still maintaining the secure connection tothe tablet.

The connection point in Wizikowski provides a single yet strongconnection between the hand strap and device grip for the two to rotatearound each other, see in particular Wizikowski FIGS. 1A, 1B, 4, and 5.Thus, Wizikowski does have more of a custom fit lanyard for the tabletcomputer as the user's hand is affixed to the tablet computer back as ahand held loop that can pivot as between the hand hold of Wizikowski andthe tablet computer, however, noting that the Wizikowski lanyard is notfor use of an article that requires dynamic hand movement such aspruning shears as Wizikowski is only for an article that is merely heldonly.

Next, in the lanyard prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,521 to Backman,III, disclosed is a tie down for connecting two objects. The tie down inBackman has an elastic tube having an un-stretched state and a stretchedstate, a braided line extending through the tube, with the line having acompressed state and an uncompressed state, and a mechanical securementat each tube end to secure the line to the tube such that the line is inits compressed state when the tube is in its un-stretched state and theline is in its uncompressed state when the tube is in its stretchedstate. Each end in Backman has an attachment for attaching to theobject, see Backman FIG. 1. Backman is more of a generic universallanyard like Duchi with the exception that Backman has an elasticportion limiter in the form of the tube to prevent over-stretchingtoward breaking failure of the lanyard, wherein the Backman has apreferred application to boats being the article that are secured to adock.

Continuing, in the lanyard and tether prior art in U.S. Pat. No.6,216,319 to Elkins, disclosed is a tool tether that includes anadjustable lanyard having a loop that fits over a user's hand that canbe tightened thereon. An opposite end in Elkins of the lanyard from theloop includes a swivel clasping mechanism that can be connected to oneof a plurality of hardware receptacles, wherein the hardware receptaclesinclude an eyelet or the like to allow it to be secured to the claspingmechanism.

The hardware receptacles in Elkins come in a wide variety of sizes toaccommodate tools and hardware of different sizes and weights. In oneembodiment, the hardware receptacles are cylindrically shaped rubbercups that are rigid enough to support different tools, and havedifferent diameters. In an alternate embodiment, the hardwarereceptacles are flexible ring members that can be wrapped around aparticular tool or component.

Elkins exemplifies the universal lanyard much like Duchi and Backman, asElkins has a longer tether length with a user wrist/hand attachment thatextends some distance to an article attachment, wherein the article is adistance away from the user's wrist, see Elkins FIGS. 1 and 6, whereinthe article will pendulum swing with exaggerated movement from minorhand movement that can be annoying via bumping into the user's body andpossibly cause article damage, while having the drawbacks of requiringmanual pulling up of the tether to reach the article by the user's handand finally for the user to position their hand via grasping the articlefor using the article, resulting in a cumbersome and time consumingeffort for article use.

What is needed is a low cost, compact, and easy to install and useretention lanyard that overcomes the shortcomings of a traditionallanyard of long tether length that makes the grasping and use of anarticle a multi-step affair of taking up the slack in the tether lengthprior to grasping the article, so a goal would be to have the articlepositioned ahead of time in relation to the hand of the user in theposition that the article is normally used, i.e. to eliminate therequirement of having to take up the slack in the tether as between thelanyard wrist attachment and the article connection, thus always havingthe article in close contact with the user's hand.

Thus the goal of the present invention is to have the article positionedin contact with the user's hand in its normal use position even with theuser's hand relaxed—that way the user can immediately grasp and use thearticle. Further, an additional goal would be for the lanyard to keepthe user's hand in its normal position for using the article, whereinthe article, say a pruning shear for instance, could be manually usedvia squeezing the handles together for cutting branches and the lanyardwould stay in place through this hand movement such that when the userstops squeezing the pruning shears together the lanyard would retain thearticle in position for the user to easily and quickly resume using thearticle, i.e. manually squeezing together the pruning shear handles,thus facilitating the user to have the ability to rest their hand fromactively using the pruning shears, meanwhile keeping the pruning shearsis position to resume active use.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is a retention lanyard for securing anarticle to a hand of a user, the article having a pair of opposingfeatures, the retention lanyard including a planar flexible elementhaving a first end and an opposing second end with a longitudinal axisspanning therebetween. Also included in the retention lanyard is a firstend portion that includes a first planar flexible loop, wherein thefirst loop originates and terminates at the planar flexible elementfirst end, wherein the first loop defines a first aperture and a secondend portion that includes a second planar flexible loop, wherein thesecond loop originates and terminates at the planar flexible elementsecond end, wherein the second loop defines a second aperture. Whereinoperationally for the retention lanyard each of the first and secondapertures are placed about each one of the pair of article features,wherein the planar flexible element is positioned about the hand,wherein the retention lanyard retains the article to the user's hand inan idle operational state with the user's hand not engaging the articleand the retention lanyard retains the article to the user's hand in anactive operational state with the user's hands engaging the articlewithout any tether length causing an additional hand to retentionlanyard contact.

These and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an upper perspective view of the retention lanyard laid outin a flat pattern to show a planar flexible element with a first end anda second end, plus a longitudinal axis, and first and second endportions with first and second flexible loops, plus first and secondapertures;

FIG. 2 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard toshow the planar flexible element with the first end and a second end,plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with thefirst and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, inaddition to the article with a pair of opposing features of the articlewith the first and second loops having first and second aperturesengaged about the pair of opposing features, also an idle operationalstate of the user's hand is shown not engaging the article, with theplanar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;

FIG. 3 shows an opposing view of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 3 shows a lowerperspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planarflexible element with the first end and a second end, plus thelongitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first andsecond flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition tothe article with the pair of opposing features of the article with thefirst and second loops having first and second apertures engaged aboutthe pair of opposing features, also the idle operational state of theuser's hand is shown not engaging the article, with the planar flexibleelement engaged about the user's hand;

FIG. 4 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard toshow the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end,plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with thefirst and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, inaddition to the article with the pair of opposing features of thearticle with the first and second loops having first and secondapertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also an activeoperational state of the user's hand is shown engaging the article, withthe planar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;

FIG. 5 shows an opposing view to FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 5 shows a lowerperspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planarflexible element with the first end and the second end, plus thelongitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first andsecond flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition tothe article with the pair of opposing features of the article with thefirst and second loops having first and second apertures engaged aboutthe pair of opposing features, also the active operational state of theuser's hand is shown engaging the article, with the planar flexibleelement engaged about the user's hand;

FIG. 6 shows a use view of FIG. 4, wherein the article is a set ofpruning shears trimming a branch with an upper perspective use view ofthe retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the firstend and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and secondend portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first andsecond apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposingfeatures of the article with the first and second loops having first andsecond apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also theactive operational state of the user's hand is shown engaging thearticle, with the planar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;

FIG. 7 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard toshow the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end,plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with thefirst and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, inaddition to the article with the pair of opposing features of thearticle with the first and second loops having first and secondapertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the idleoperational state of the user's hand is shown not engaging the article,wherein in this case the article is a flashlight, with the planarflexible element engaged about the user's hand;

FIG. 8 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard toshow the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end,plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with thefirst and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, inaddition to the article with the pair of opposing features of thearticle with the first and second loops having first and secondapertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, wherein in thiscase the article is a water bottle;

FIG. 9 shows a front perspective use view of the retention lanyard toshow the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end,plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with thefirst and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, inaddition to the article with the pair of opposing features of thearticle with the first and second loops having first and secondapertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, wherein in thiscase the article is an eye glasses case;

FIG. 10 shows a back perspective use view of the retention lanyard toshow the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end,plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with thefirst and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, inaddition to the article with the pair of opposing features of thearticle with the first and second loops having first and secondapertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, wherein in thiscase the article is an eye glasses case;

FIG. 11 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard toshow the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end,plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with thefirst and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, inaddition to the article with the pair of opposing features of thearticle with the first and second loops having first and secondapertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the idleoperational state of the user's hand is shown not engaging the articledirectly, wherein in this case the article is a mobile phone; and

FIG. 12 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard toshow the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end,plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with thefirst and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, inaddition to the article with the pair of opposing features of thearticle with the first and second loops having first and secondapertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the idleoperational state of the user's hand is shown not engaging the articledirectly, wherein in this case the article is a mobile phone wherein thefirst and second loops are engaged about the mobile phone case.

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

-   50 Retention lanyard-   55 Article-   60 Pair of opposing features of the article 55-   65 User-   70 Hand of user 65-   71 Finger of the user 65-   75 Securing and retaining the article 55 to the hand 70 or finger 71    the user 65-   80 Planar flexible element-   85 First end of the planar flexible element 80-   90 Second end of the planar flexible element 80-   95 Longitudinal axis of the planar flexible element 80-   100 First end portion-   105 First planar flexible loop-   110 First loop originating and terminating at the planar flexible    element 80 first end 85-   115 First aperture of the first loop 110-   120 Second end portion-   125 Second planar flexible loop-   130 Second loop originating and terminating at the planar flexible    element 80 first end 100-   135 Second aperture of the second loop 130-   140 Placing or engaging each the first 115 and second 135 apertures    about each one of the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55-   145 Positioning or engaging the planar flexible element 80 about the    hand 70 of the user 65-   150 Idle operational state of the user's 65 hand 70 not engaging the    article 55-   155 Active operational state of the user's 65 hand 70 engaging the    article 55-   160 No additional tether length hand 70 to retention lanyard 50    contact-   165 Branch-   170 Elongated flexible beam-   175 Distance of the beam 170-   180 Aperture major axis-   185 Length of the aperture major axis 180-   190 Aperture minor axis-   195 Perpendicular position of the aperture minor axis 190 to the    longitudinal axis 95-   200 Length of the aperture minor axis-   205 K spring rate-   210 Teardrop shape of the first 115 and second 135 apertures-   215 Pointed portion of the teardrop shape 210-   220 Planar flexible element positioned about the finger 71-   225 Perimeter of each the first 115 and second 135 apertures-   230 Circular shape of the first 115 and second 135 apertures

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference to FIG. 1, shown is an upper perspective view ofthe retention lanyard 50 laid out in a flat pattern to show a planarflexible element 80 with a first end 85 and a second end 90, plus alongitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions withfirst 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135apertures are also shown.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an upper perspective use view of the retentionlanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85and a second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 andsecond 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexibleloops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition, FIG. 2shows the article 55 with a pair of opposing features 60 of the article55 with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops having the first 115and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features60, also an idle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shownnot engaging the article 55, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged145 about the user's 65 hand 70.

Continuing, FIG. 3 shows an opposing view of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 3shows a lower perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to showthe planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and a second end90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 endportions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 3 shows the article 55with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 aperturesengaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also the idleoperational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown not engaging thearticle 55, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about theuser's 65 hand 70.

Further, FIG. 4 shows an upper perspective use view of the retentionlanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 andsecond 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexibleloops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 4 showsthe article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also anactive operational state 155 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown engagingthe article 55, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 aboutthe user's 65 hand 70.

Moving onward, FIG. 5 shows an opposing view to FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 5shows a lower perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to showthe planar flexible element 80 the first end 85 and the second end 90,plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portionswith the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 andsecond 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 5 shows the article 55 with thepair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 andsecond 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140about the pair of opposing features 60, also the active operationalstate 155 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown engaging the article 55,with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about the user's 65 hand70.

Yet further, FIG. 6 shows a use view of FIG. 4, wherein the article 55is a set of pruning shears trimming a branch 165 with an upperperspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planarflexible element 80 with the first end 85 and the second end 90, plusthe longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions withthe first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 15 and second135 apertures. In addition FIG. 6 shows the article 55 with a pair ofopposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about thepair of opposing features 60, also the active operational state 155 ofthe user's 65 hand 70 is shown engaging the article 55 with the planarflexible element 80 engaged 145 about the user's 65 hand 70.

In addition, FIG. 7 shows an upper perspective use view of the retentionlanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 andsecond 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexibleloops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 7 showsthe article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also theidle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown notengaging the article 55, wherein in this case the article 55 is aflashlight, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about theuser's 65 hand 70.

Yet further, FIG. 8 shows an upper perspective use view of the retentionlanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 andsecond 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexibleloops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 8 showsthe article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, wherein inthis case the article 55 is a water bottle.

Next, FIG. 9 shows a front perspective use view of the retention lanyard50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and asecond end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plusfirst 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 9 shows the article55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with thefirst 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 aperturesengaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, wherein in this casethe article 55 is an eye glasses case.

Continuing, FIG. 10 shows a back perspective use view of the retentionlanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 andsecond 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexibleloops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 10shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of thearticle 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 andsecond 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60,wherein in this case the article 55 is an eye glasses case.

Next, FIG. 11 shows an upper perspective use view of the retentionlanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 andsecond 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexibleloops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 11shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of thearticle 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 andsecond 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60,also the idle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shownnot engaging the article 55 directly, wherein in this case the article55 is a mobile phone.

Further, FIG. 12 shows an upper perspective use view of the retentionlanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 andsecond 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexibleloops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 12shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of thearticle 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 andsecond 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60,also the idle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shownnot engaging the article 55 directly, wherein in this case the article55 is a mobile phone wherein the first 105 and second 125 loops areengaged about the mobile phone case.

Broadly, in looking at FIGS. 1 to 12, the retention lanyard 50 isdisclosed for securing 75 the article 55 to the hand 70 of the user 65,the article 55 having the pair of opposing features 60. The retentionlanyard 50 including the planar flexible element 80 having the first end85 and the opposing second end 90 with the longitudinal axis 95 spanningtherebetween, see in particular FIG. 1.

Further included in the retention lanyard 50 is the first end portion100 that includes the first planar flexible loop 105, wherein the firstloop 110 originates and terminates at the planar flexible element 80first end 85, wherein the first loop 110 defines the first aperture 115,again see in particular FIG. 1.

Also included in the retention lanyard 50 is the second end portion 120that includes the second planar flexible loop 125, wherein the secondloop 130 originates and terminates at the planar flexible element 80second end 90, wherein the second loop 125 defines the second aperture135, again see in particular FIG. 1. Wherein operationally, each of thefirst 115 and second 135 apertures are placed about 140 each one of thepair of article 55 features 60, wherein the planar flexible element 80is positioned 145 about the hand 70, see FIGS. 2 to 7. Thus theretention lanyard 50 retains 75 the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70in an idle operational state 150 with the user's 65 hand 70 not engagingthe article 55, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Further, the retentionlanyard 50 retains the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70 in an activeoperational state 155 with the user's 65 hands 70 engaging the article55 without any tether length 160 causing an additional hand 70 toretention lanyard 50 contact, see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, or in other wordsthus allowing a single hand 70 to retain 75 and use the article 55.

Optionally for the retention lanyard 50, the first 85 and second 90 endsform an elongated flexible beam 170 therebetween that is defined by thebeam distance 175 between the first 115 and second 135 apertures alongthe longitudinal axis 95, and the first 115 and second 135 apertureseach have an aperture major axis 180 that is along the longitudinal axis95, each aperture major axis 180 has an aperture major axis length 185,wherein the beam distance 175 is greater than the aperture major axislength 185, to operationally facilitate the elongated beam 170 toconform 145 to the user's 65 hand 70, as best shown in FIG. 1, plusFIGS. 2 and 4.

Another option for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the first 115 andsecond 135 apertures further each have the minor axis 190 that ispositioned perpendicular 195 to the longitudinal axis 95, wherein eachminor axis 190 has the aperture minor axis length 200, wherein theaperture minor axis length 200 is less than the aperture major axislength 185, to operationally facilitate easier looping of the first 115and second 135 apertures to the article 55 opposing features 60, seeFIG. 1 and FIGS. 2-6.

A further option for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the elongatedflexible beam 170 combined with the first 105 and second 125 planarflexible loops has a “K” spring rate 205 along the longitudinal axis 95of about one-half (½) pound force per inch of movement along thelongitudinal axis 95 to operationally allow for the elongated flexiblebeam 170 to encompass the user's 65 hand 70 and to easily attach andretain 75 the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70 in both the idleoperational state 150 and the active operational state 155, see FIG. 1and FIGS. 2-6.

Another option for the retention lanyard 50, is wherein the first 115and second 135 apertures can each preferably have the teardrop shape 210with the pointed portion 215 of each teardrop 210 being adjacent to theelongated flexible beam 170, to operationally facilitate easierplacement of each of the first 105 and second 125 flexible planar loopsupon the article 55 opposing features 60, see FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2-6.

Continuing, in looking at FIGS. 7 to 12 in particular for the retentionlanyard 50 for securing the article 55 to the hand 70 of a user 65, thearticle 55 having the pair of opposing features 60, wherein theretention lanyard 50 includes, the planar flexible element 80 having thefirst end 85 and the opposing second end 90, also the first end portion100 that includes the first planar flexible loop 105, wherein the firstloop 105 originates 110 and terminates 110 at the planar flexibleelement 80 first end 85, wherein the first loop 105 defines the firstaperture 115, also see FIG. 1.

In addition, on the retention lanyard 50, the second end portion 120that includes the second planar flexible loop 125, wherein the secondloop 125 originates 130 and terminates 130 at the planar flexibleelement 80 second end 90, wherein the second loop 125 defines the secondaperture 135, wherein operationally each of the first 115 and second 135apertures are placed about 140 each one of the pair of article 55features 60, see FIGS. 6 to 12. Wherein the planar flexible element 80is positioned 220 about the finger 71 of the user's 65 hand 70, and theretention lanyard 50 retains the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70,without any tether length 160 thus allowing a single hand 70 to retain75 and use 155 the article 55, again see FIGS. 7 to 12.

Alternatively for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the first 85 andsecond 90 ends form the elongated flexible beam 170 therebetween that isdefined by the beam distance 175 between the first 115 and second 135apertures, wherein each aperture 115, 135 has a perimeter 225, whereinthe perimeter 225 is greater than the beam distance 175, tooperationally facilitate the first 115 and second 135 apertures ease ofbeing placed about 140 each one of the pair of article features 60,further again see FIGS. 7 to 12.

Another alternative for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the elongatedflexible beam 170 combined with the first 105 and second 125 planarflexible loops has a “K” spring rate 205 of about one-half (½) poundforce per inch of movement, to operationally allow for the elongatedflexible beam 170 to encompass 220 the user's 65 finger 71 and to easilyattach 75 and retain 75 the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70, asshown in FIGS. 7 to 12.

A further alternative for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the first115 and second 135 apertures each preferably have a circular shape 230,to operationally facilitate easier placement 140 of each the first 105and second 125 flexible planar loop upon the article 55 opposingfeatures 60, as best shown in FIGS. 7 to 12.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, the present invention of a retention lanyard has beendescribed with some degree of particularity directed to the embodimentsof the present invention. It should be appreciated, though; that thepresent invention is defined by the following claim construed in lightof the prior art so modifications or changes may be made to theexemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing fromthe inventive concepts contained therein.

1. A retention lanyard for securing an article to a hand of a user, thearticle having a pair of opposing features, said retention lanyardcomprising: (a) a planar flexible element having a first end and anopposing second end with a longitudinal axis spanning therebetween; (b)a first end portion that includes a first planar flexible loop, whereinsaid first loop originates and terminates at said planar flexibleelement first end, wherein said first loop defines a first aperture; and(c) a second end portion that includes a second planar flexible loop,wherein said second loop originates and terminates at said planarflexible element second end, wherein said second loop defines a secondaperture, wherein operationally each of said first and second aperturesare placed about each one of the pair of article features, wherein saidplanar flexible element is positioned about the hand, wherein saidretention lanyard retains the article in contact with the user's hand inan idle operational state with the user's hand not grasping or engagingthe article and said retention lanyard retains the article to the user'shand in an active operational state with the user's hands grasping orengaging the article without any tether length thus allowing a singlehand to retain and use the article.
 2. A retention lanyard according toclaim 1 wherein said first and second ends form an elongated flexiblebeam therebetween that is defined by a beam distance between said firstand second apertures along said longitudinal axis, and said first andsecond apertures each have an aperture major axis that is along saidlongitudinal axis, each said aperture major axis has an aperture majoraxis length, wherein said beam distance is greater than said aperturemajor axis length, to operationally facilitate said elongated beam toconform to the user's hand.
 3. A retention lanyard according to claim 2wherein said first and second apertures further each have a minor axisthat is positioned perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein eachsaid minor axis has an aperture minor axis length, wherein said apertureminor axis length is less than said aperture major axis length, tooperationally facilitate easier looping of said first and secondapertures to the article opposing features.
 4. A retention lanyardaccording to claim 3 wherein said elongated flexible beam combined withsaid first and second planar flexible loops has a “K” spring rate alongsaid longitudinal axis of about one-half (½) pound force per inch ofmovement along said longitudinal axis to operationally allow for saidelongated flexible beam to encompass the user's hand and to easilyattach and retain the article to the user's hand in both said idleoperational state and said active operational state.
 5. A retentionlanyard according to claim 1 wherein said first and second apertureseach have a teardrop shape with a pointed portion of each said teardropbeing adjacent to said elongated flexible beam, to operationallyfacilitate easier placement of each said first and second flexibleplanar loop upon the article opposing features.
 6. A retention lanyardfor securing an article to a hand of a user, the article having a pairof opposing features, said retention lanyard comprising: (a) a planarflexible element having a first end and an opposing second end; (b) afirst end portion that includes a first planar flexible loop, whereinsaid first loop originates and terminates at said planar flexibleelement first end, wherein said first loop defines a first aperture; and(c) a second end portion that includes a second planar flexible loop,wherein said second loop originates and terminates at said planarflexible element second end, wherein said second loop defines a secondaperture, wherein operationally each of said first and second aperturesare placed about each one of the pair of article features, wherein saidplanar flexible element is positioned about a finger of the hand,wherein said retention lanyard retains the article to the user's hand,without any tether length thus allowing a single hand to retain and usethe article.
 7. A retention lanyard according to claim 6 wherein saidfirst and second ends form an elongated flexible beam therebetween thatis defined by a beam distance between said first and second apertures,wherein each said aperture has a perimeter, wherein said perimeter isgreater than said beam distance, to operationally facilitate said firstand second apertures ease of being placed about each one of the pair ofarticle features.
 8. A retention lanyard according to claim 7 whereinsaid elongated flexible beam combined with said first and second planarflexible loops has a “K” spring rate of about one-half (½) pound forceper inch of movement, to operationally allow for said elongated flexiblebeam to encompass the user's finger and to easily attach and retain thearticle to the user's hand.
 9. A retention lanyard according to claim 6wherein said first and second apertures each have a circular shape, tooperationally facilitate easier placement of each said first and secondflexible planar loop upon the article opposing features.